Switch-stand semaphore mechanism.



F. C. ANDERSON.

SWITCH STAND SEMAPHORE MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED APR. 11, 19.14.

Patented June 1, 1915.

MM mwmq 7H5 N'JRFIS PETERS CO.. PHOTO-LITHO. WASPIIINITTUNL D. C.

UNTTU TATS PATENT FRANK C. ANDERSON, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN VALVE & METER COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SWITCH-STAND SEMAPHORE MECHANISM.

mamas.

Application filed April 11, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK C. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Stand Semaphore Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to semaphore mechanism for switch stands of the skeleton or rotary type, and has for its object the complete change of the semaphore to danger position before opening of the switch can be commenced; and also to lock the semaphore mechanism so that it cannot be brought back to safety position until the switch has been completely thrown back to its safe position.

My invention consists in the parts and in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a switch stand and semaphore embodying my invention, the parts being in safe position; Fig. 2 is a plan view, enlarged, of the upper bracket and adjacent parts, the plate being omitted for sake of clearness; Fig. 3 is a similar view of the lower bracket and adjacent parts; and Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the cross-head. I

The switch stand 1 has the main shaft 2 journaled vertically in upper and lower bearings having caps 3 and 4 respectively. Below this lower bearing this shaft has the crank 5 to which is pivoted the connecting rod 6 adapted to be connected to the point rails of the switch, not shown herein.

Above the upper bearing, the main shaft 2 has, fixed on it, the fulcrum-head 7, and the switch-operating lever 8 swings in a vertical plane on the pivot 9 in the free end of this fulcrum head 7 The top of this switch stand 1 comprises the horizontal plate 10 which has slots 11 and 12 diametrically opposite on a line through the center of the main shaft 2; and the handle or lever 8 is adapted to engage in either one of these slots when the switch is completely thrown one way or the other. The handle or lever 8 has the slot 18 near its lower end, and the stand 1 has lugs 14 to project through the slot 13 to receive the bow or shackle of a padlock to engage against the outer face of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

Serial No. 831,299.

the lever 8, whereby the lever 8 may be locked against removal from the slot 11 or slot 12 as the case may be. By looking the arm 8 near its free end or handle, the semaphore or target elements are more accurately held in position, even with a slight variation of sizes of the shanks or padlocks used. 7 a

The semaphore column 15 is supported rigidly in upper and lower brackets 16 and 17 respectively, which are bolted to the switch stand along with the caps 3 and 4, respectively, of the upper and lower bearings of the shaft 2. This column 15 is preferably hollow, being conveniently made of iron pipe which has its lower end slipped into the lower bracket 17, and fits tightly in an opening in the upper bracket, where it has a bolt 18 passed through it and the bracket, which reinforces the connection between the column and bracket and prevents the column from turning.

The upper end of the semaphore column carries a fulcrumblock 19 screwed onto it, on which is pivoted the semaphore-head 20 on a transverse pin 21 passing through a lug 22 of the fulcrum-block and through bifurcations 23 of the semaphore-head 20 flanking the lug 22. This semaphore-head 20 carries the semaphore-arm 01' blade 24 rigidly attached to an upward extension 25 thereon so that the arm and the head swing in a vertical plane and when the head is horizontal the arm is held vertical thereon on the side toward the track. The head 20 has another lug 26 at the side of the fulcrum-block 19 away from the track, and the semaphore-operating rod 27 has an upper connecting head 28 with bifurcations 29 which receive the lug 26 between them, and a bolt 30 passes through the bifurcations and the lug, thereby pivoting the rod 27 to the head 20. A lock nut 31 makes the con necting head 28 rigid on the rod 27. This rod 27 extends down through an opening 32 in the upper bracket 16, and, running down near the lower bracket, has a lower horizontalcross-head 33, with a hub 34, made rigid on the rod 27 by a lock nut 35.

To operate the semaphore, a semaphoreoperating lever 36 has a pivot 37 in one of the two stops 3S and 39, which are provided on the plate 10 for the fulcrum-head 7. This pivot 37 is concentric with the pivot 9 of the switch-operating lever or handle 8. Projecting from the side of the semaphoreoperating lever 36 toward the switch-operating lever 8 is a boss 40 that carries a lug 41, and the switch-operating lever 8 has a slot 42 that receives the lug 41, whereby the semaphoreoperating lever 36 is moved along with the switch-operating lever 8, the two levers swinging together on their con centric pivots 9 and 37.

The lower bracket 17 has a laterally projected lug 43, to the inner side of which is rigidly secured an upright bar 44, preferably of fiat rectangular cross section as shown; and the cross-head 33 has a slot 45 vertically through an enlargement 46 at its middle, this slot fitting the bar 44 snugly, so that the cross-head may be guided up and down on the bar 44. The hub 34, to which thesemaphore-operating rod 27 is attached, is thus at one end of the cross-head and the other end 47 is received between the bifurcations of a bifurcated connecting-head 48, with a pin 49 passing transversely through the bifurcations and the end 47, pivoting the cross-head. and connecting-head together. The connecting rod 50 has a reduced threaded part 51 which is screwed into the connecting-head 48 and held rigid therein by a lock nut 52. The upper end of this connecting rod receives the stud 53 which" is provided near the lower end of the semaphore-operating lever 36 opposite to the boss 40 and lug 41 thereon. The semaphoreoperating rod 27 and the other connections are so proportioned that when the switchoperating lever 8 is down in its vertical position and the semaphore-operating lever is in a corresponding position, the semaphore-head will be horizontal and its arm 24, mounted thereon at right angles thereto, will be vertical, thus signaling safety but when the switch-operating lever 8 is raised to horizontal position, out of the slot in the plate 10, carrying the semaphore operating lever 36 to a corresponding position, the semaphore-head and arm will be tilted so that the head is in substantially vertical position and the arm is in substantially horizontal position, thus signaling danger. r

The threaded connection of the semaphore-operating rod 27 to its upper head 28 and to the cross-head 33 below allows of adjustment of the length of the connecting element thus made up, and the threaded con nection of the connecting rod 50 to its head 48 allows adjustment of the length of this connectin element. 4 a:

The fulcrum-block 19 has a lateral extension 54, and a vertical lamp shaft 55 is journaled in this extension and in extensions 56 and 57 on the upper bracket 16 and lower bracket 17, respectively, fixed to this lamp shaft 55, and supporting it against downward movement by hearing on the upper side of the extension 56, is an arm 58 extending over toward the fulcrum-head 7. The upper end of the lamp shaft 55 has a stud 59 so shaped as to be suitable to receive a signal lamp to turn with it. The lower end of the lamp shaft 55 has a short crank 60 to operate electric signals in conjunction with the switch stand if desired. To operate this lamp shaft the semaphore-operating lever 36 has an upward extension 61, and an eye 62 is screwed into this extension and provided with a lock nut 63, so that the operative length of this upper part of the semaphore-operating lever may be varied by. screwing the eye in or out in the extension 61, thus always bringing the semaphore or target elements into full correct position, even when some wear of the parts has occurred. A connecting rod 64 has bifurcations at each end, those at one end flanking the eye 62, with a pivot pin 65 passing through them and through the eye. A bifurcated connection head 66 has its bifurcations flanking the arm 58 above and below and a pin 67 passes down through this head .7

66 and through the arm 58, pivoting them together. This head 66 has, projecting over toward the semaphore-operating lever 35, :1 lug 68, and the bifurcations of the other end of the rod 64 flank this lug 68, with a pin 69 passing horizontally through the bifurcations and the lug, thus pivoting them together, so that the rod 64 may swing in a vertical plane with respect to the head 66. Thus, the lamp shaft is rotated through a quarter-revolution when the lever 36 is swung upward through a quarter revolution.

As shown herein, the switch stand is so designed that when the lever 8 is in the slot 11 itowill have closed the switch and a safe or clear signal will be required of the semaphore. Now, as the lever 8 is raised out of the slot 11, it will raise the semaphore-operating lever 36 with it as before described, which will result in swinging the semaphore-head and arm down through the 90 required to efl'ect the change of signal from safe or clear to danger. This completion of the change of signal will occur just as the lever 8 reaches its horizontal position out of engagement with the sides of the slot 11. Then the switch may be thrown, the lever 8 being brought around to the other side of the stand and dropped into the slot 12 thereat.

lVhile the mechanism so far described insures that the semaphore will be operated from safe to danger position before throwing of the switch is commenced, it

will not, in itself, prevent throwing of the semaphore back to safe position before the switch itself is thrown back to such. position. It will be seen that it would be possible to operate the semaphore by means of the semaphore-operating lever 36 itself after the switch-operating lever 8 had been disengaged therefrom. To prevent this operation of the semaphore mechanism independently of the switch-operating mechanism, I provide a segment 70 on the fulcrum-head 7, concentric with the shaft 2. This segment is so positioned that, when the fulcrum-head 7 is in position to permit the lever 9 to occupy the slot 11, the segment will have a terminal part 71 lying alongside the line of movement of the connection head 66. This part occupies such a position along this line of movement that, as soon as any appreciable rotation of the main or switclroperating shaft 2 occurs, this segment 70 will begin to obstruct the path which the head 66 would be compelled to follow in a return movement to return the lamp shaft and lamp to safe position. With the segment 70 disposed as described, it will thus obstruct the return movement of the lamp-operating connection while the switch-operating mechanism is in any position around its 180 of travel clear up to the extreme other position with the lever 8 in the slot 12.

Since the semaphoreoperating mechanism is also under the control. of the semaphore-operating lever, it will be seen that it will not be possible to return either the semaphore-arm or the lamp shaft and lamp to safe position until the switch-operating mechanism has been brought entirely back so that the switch is safely closed. 7

It will be understood that, when the switch-operating lever 8 returns in its horizontal position, the semaphoreoperating lever 36 will be found also in a horizontal position, and the slot 42 in the lever 8 will receive the lug 41 of the lever 86; and then when the switch-operating lever 8 is brought down to vertical position the semaphore-operating mechanism as well as the lamp shaft will be operated back, bringing the semaphore arm and the lamp back into safe position as the switch-operating lever 8 is brought down into position for locking again. It will not be possible to lock this lever 8 until the lug 14 projects far enough out of the lever 8 to admit the shackle of the padlock in its opening. Not until this has occurred will the target have been brought into clear or safe position. It is thus seen that the operator is compelled to bring the target into clear position before he can lock the switch. so that display of danger by the signal when the switch is safe is also prevented as well as the more serious irregularity of displaying safety when the switch is open, as prevented in the manner above described.

It will be noted that until the lug 41 of the semaphore-operating lever 36 is entirely withdrawn from the slot 42 in the switchoperating lever 8 it is impossible to operate the semaphcre-arm or lamp shaft independently of the switch-operating lever 8, even though the segment 70 did not come within the path of the operative connection to the target. Thus, double protection is afforded at this period of the operation of the switch mechanism, amply guarding against false removal of the target from danger position, even though the segment 70 should fall somewhat short of promptly performing its duty in this period of the operation.

I have illustrated and described a switch stand requiring a rotation of the main shaft through 180 but, since the semaphore and lamp mechanism is completely operated before the operation of the switch mechanism is commenced, it is immaterial what degree of movement the switch stand mechanism requires in throwing the switch. Some switch stands require a rotation of the main shaft through only 90 and others may involve more or less degree of rotation, but my improved semaphoreoperating and locking mechanism may be incorporated in such a switch with the parts properly pr0- portioned and will operate successfully according to the principle herein set forth in such a switch stand mechanism.

With the crank operatively connecting the switch stand target or semaphore mechanism and the distant signal apparatus, the distant signal will show danger at all times eXceptwhen the switch-operating 1ever 8 is brought down with the lug 13 projecting therethrough for locking. Operated directly by the switch rails, a distance signal might show safety with the switchoperating lever out of the slot, so that, althought the rails might be drawn to a safe position, they would be free to shift under the jar of the train, and thus be in a dangerous condition. My improvement precludes showing of safety by the distance signal unless the switch is indeed securely held in proper position.

Each of the brackets 16 and 17 is made symmetrical above and below, so that it may be reversed on the switch stand in making a right-hand instead of a left-hand stand. In making a switch stand for such reverse position, the semaphore-operating lever 36 would be pivoted on the pin 72 in the stop 39 at the other side of the stand and the other parts would be arranged accordingly. The only parts requiring different parts to be substituted for them would be the fulcrum-block 54. andthe fulcrum-head 7 with its segment 69. The fulcrum-head 7, to operate on the other side, requires its segment to be placed diametrically opposite.

The above details are referred to in order to make clear the illustration of my preferred construction. However, it will be understood that such details may be altered, and various other minor changes may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of my invention, as set forth in the following claims:

1. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in one plane before being movable in another plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm and a movable lamp support, a semaphore lever movable ina plane substantially parallel to the plane of initial movement of the switch-operating element, operative connection from this semaphore lever to the semaphore arm, and operative connection from this semaphore lever to the lamp support, said semaphore lever having disengageable operative connection with the switch-operating element, whereby the semaphore arm and lamp support are simultaneously and completely operated duringthe initial movement of the switch-operating element; 7

2. In combination, with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in one plane before being movable in another plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm and a movable lamp support, a semaphore lever movable in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of initial movement of the switch-operating element, operative connection from this semaphore lever to the semaphore arm, and operative connectionfrom this semaphore lever to the lamp support, said semaphore lever having disengageable operative connection with the switchoperating element, whereby the semaphore arm and lamp support are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switeh-operat-' ing element, and means carried along with said switch-operating element in its switchoperating movement and thereby projected into the path of travel of part of the operative connection between said semaphore lever and the lamp support, whereby operation of said semaphore lever and, consequently, of said semaphore arm along with the lamp support, independently of the switch operation, is prevented.

8. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for'said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, and disengageable operative connection between said switch-operating element and said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, respectively, whereby said semaphore arm and lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element.

4. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a vertical plane, an arm on the lamp shaft, operative connection between the semaphore lever and the arm, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, operative connection between said rod and said semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between the switchoperating element and the somaphore lever, whereby the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element.

5. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switclroperating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a substantially vertical plane, an arm on the lamp shaft, a connecting head making operative engagement with the arm, a connecting element between the connecting head and the semaphore lever, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, operative connection between said rod and the semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between the semaphore lever and said switch-operating element, whereby the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial move ment of the switch-operating element.

6. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring 1n1t1al movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a substantially vertical plane, operative connection between the semaphore lever and the lamp shaft, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, means for guiding said rod, operative connection between said rod and said semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between said semaphore lever and said switch-operating element, whereby said semaphore arm and said lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element.

7. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a substantially vertical plane, operative connection between the semaphore lever and the lamp shaft, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, a cross head connected to the rod, a guide for said cross head, a connecting element from said cross head to said semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between the semaphore lever and said switch-operating element, whereby said semaphore arm and said lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element.

8. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, and disengageable operative eonnection between said switch-operating element and said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, respectively, whereby said semaphore arm and lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element, and means carried along with said switch-operating element in its switch-operating movement and thereby projected into the path of travel of part of the operative connection between the semaphore lever and the lamp shaft whereby the operation of the lamp shaft and, consequently, of the semaphore arm, independently of the switch operation, is prevented.

9. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and sup porting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a vertical plane, an arm on the lamp shaft, operative connection between the semaphore lever and the arm, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, operative connection between said rod and said semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between the switch-operating element and the semaphore lever, whereby the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element, and means carried along with said switchoperating element in its switch-operating movement and thereby projected into the path of travel of part of the operative connection between the semaphore lever and the lamp shaft whereby the operation of the lamp shaft and, consequently, of the semaphore arm, independently of the switch operation, is prevented.

10. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a substantially vertical plane, operative 6011 nection between the semaphore lever and the lamp shaft, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, means for guiding said rod, operative connection between said rod and said semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between said semaphore lever and said switch-operating element, whereby said semaphore arm and said lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element, and means carried along with said switch-operating element in its switch-operating movement and thereby projected into the path of travel of part of the operative connection between the semaphore lever and the lamp shaft whereby the operation of the lamp shaft and, consequently, of the semaphore arm, independently of the switch operation, is prevented.

11. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm V movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a substantially vertical plane, operative connection between the semaphore lever and the lamp shaft, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, a cross head connected to the rod, a guide for said cross head, a connecting element from said cross head to said semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between the semaphore lever and said switch-operating element, whereby said semaphore arm and said lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element, and means carried along with said switch-operating element in its switch-operating movement and thereby projected into the path of travel of part of the operative connection between the semaphore lever and the lamp shaft whereby the operation of the lamp shaft and, consequently, of the semaphore arm, independently of the switch operation, is prevented.

12. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical planebefore being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a substantially vertical plane, an arm on the lamp shaft, a connecting head making operative engagement with the arm, a connecting element between the connecting head and the semaphore lever, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, operative connection between said rod and the semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between the semaphore lever and said switch-operating element, whereby the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switchoperating element, and means carried along with said switch-operating element in its switch-operating movement and thereby projected into the path of travel of said connection head, whereby operation of the lamp shaft, and, consequently, of the semaphore arm independently of the switch operation is prevented.

13.ln combination with a switch stand comprising a main switch-operating shaft, a fulcrum head fixed to said main shaft to rotate it, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum head, and a stationary plate having a slot, said switch-operating lever being received in the slot and requiring to be initially swung on its pivot in the ful crum head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of the fulcrum head and main shaft, a semaphore on the switch stand, comprising a semaphore arm and a lamp shaft, means supporting the semaphore arm for vertical movement, a semaphore lever pivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operating lever, means for operative engagement between the switch-operating lever and this semaphore lever whereby the two levers swing together during the initial -movement of said switch-operating lover, a

semaphore rod connected to said semaphore arm, operative connection beteen the semaphore lever and the semaphore rod, an arm on the lamp shaft, and operative connection between the semaphore lever and said arm on the lamp shaft, whereby said semaphore arm and said lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during said initial swinging of the switch-operating lever.

14. In combination with a switch stand comprising a main switch-operating shaft, a fulcrum head fixed to said main shaft to rotate it, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum head, and a stationary plate having a slot, said switch-operating lever being received in the slot and requiring to be initially swung on its pivot in the fulcrum head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of the fulcrum head and main shaft, a semaphore on the switch stand, comprising a semaphore arm and a lamp shaft, means supporting the semaphore arm for vertical movement, a semaphore lever pivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operating lever, means for operative engagement between the switch-operating lever and this semaphore lever whereby the two levers swing together during the initial movement of said switch-operating lever, a semaphore rod connected to said semaphore arm, a cross head connected to said semaphore rod, a guide for the cross head, a connecting element between the cross head and the semaphore lev r, an arm on the lamp shaft, and operative connection between said arm and said semaphore lever, whereby the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during said initial swinging of the switch-operating lever.

15. In combination with a switch stand comprising a main switch-operating shaft, a fulcrum head fixed to said main shaft to rotate it, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum head, and a stationary plate having a slot, said switch-operating lever being received in the slot and requiring to be initially swung on its pivot in the fulcrum head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of the fulcrum head and main shaft, a semaphore on the switch stand, comprising a semaphore arm and a lamp shaft, means supporting the semaphore arm for vertical movement, a semaphore lever pivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operating lever, means for operative engagement between the switch-operating lever and this semaphore lever whereby the two levers swing together during the initial movement of said switch-operating lever, a semaphore rod connected to said semaphore arm, operative connection between the semaphore lever and the semaphore rod, an arm on the lamp shaft, and operative connection between the semaphore lever and said arm on the lamp shaft, whereby said semaphore arm and said lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during said initial swinging of the switch-operating lever, a segment on said fulcrum head, and means comprised in the operative connection be tween the arm on the lamp shaft and the semaphore lever to engage with said segment and prevent operation of said lamp shaft and, consequently, of said semaphore arm, during removal of the switch-operating lever from its initial position.

.16. In combination with a switch stand comprising a main switch-operating shaft, a fulcrum head fixed to said main shaft to rotate it, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum head, and a stationary plate having a slot, said switch-operating lever be ing received in the slot and requiring to be initially swung on its pivot in the fulcrum head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of the fulcrum head and main shaft, a semaphore on the switch stand, comprising a semaphore arm and a lamp shaft, means supporting the semaphore arm for vertical movement, a semaphore lever pivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switcl1-operating lever, means for operative engagement between the switch-operating lever and this semaphore lever whereby the two levers swing together during the initial movement of said switch-operating lever, a semaphore rod connected to said semaphore arm, a cross head connecteo to said semaphore rod, a guide for the cross head, a connecting element between the cross head and the semaphore lever, an arm on the lamp shaft, and operative connection between said arm and said semaphore lever, whereby the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during said initial swinging of the switch-operating lever, a segment on said fulcrum head, and means comprised in the operative con nection between the arm on the lamp shaft and the semaphore lever to engage with said segment and prevent operation of said lamp shaft and, consequently, of said semaphore arm, during removal of the switch-operating lever from its initial position.

17. in combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in one plane before being movable in another plane to operate the switch, a semaphore arm, and means whereby said arm may swing in a substantially vertical plane, a substantially vertical lamp shaft, permanent operative connection between the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft, holding them for simultaneous operation, and means comprised in the permanent operative connection for disengageable operative connection with the switchoperating element, whereby said semaphore arm and lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during said initial movement of said switclroperating element.

18. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in one plane before being movable in another plane to operate the switch, a semaphore arm, and means whereby said arm may swing in a substantially vertically plane, a substantially vertical lamp shaft, permanent operative connection between the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft, holding them for simultaneous operation, and means comprised in the permanent operative connection for disengageable operative connection with the switchoperating element, whereby said semaphore arm and lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during said initial movement of said switch-operating element, and means carried along with said switchoperating element in its switch-operating movement and thereby projected into the path of travel of part of the permanent operative connection between the semaphore arm and lamp shaft, whereby operation of said semaphore arm and lamp shaft independently of the operation of said switchoperating element is prevented.

19. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element and a semaphore-operating element, disengageable connection whereby said semaphore operating element and part of the switchoperating element initially move together in substantially parallel planes, a bracket on the switch stand, an upright guide on said bracket, a cross head sliding on the guide, a connecting element between the cross head and said semaphore-operating element, and a semaphore rod connected to the cross head.

20. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a vertical plane, an arm on the lamp shaft, operative connection between the semaphore lever and the arm, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, operative connection between said rod and said semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between the switch-operating element and the semaphore lever, whereby the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element, and

means for adjusting the operative length of said semaphore lever.

21. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical-plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a sub stantially horizontal plane, and supporting means for said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, a semaphore lever movable in a vertical plane, an arm on the lamp shaft, operative connection between the semaphore lever and the arm, a rod pivoted to the semaphore arm, operative connection between said rod and said semaphore lever, and disengageable operative connection between the switch-operating element and the semaphore lever, whereby the semaphore arm and the lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element, and said semaphore lever comprising a main part, and an eye adjustably mounted in the main part and forming part of the operative connection between said semaphore lever and the arm on the lamp shaft, whereby the operative length of the semaphore lever may be adjusted.

22. In combination with a switch stand comprising a main switch-operating shaft, a fulcrum head fixed to said main shaft to rotate it, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum head, and a stationary plate having a slot, said switch-operating lever being received in the slot and requiring to be initiallv swung on its pivot in the fulcrum head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of the fulcrum head and main shaft, a semaphore on the switch stand, comprising a semaphore arm and a lamp shaft, means supporting the semaphore arm for vertical movement, a semaphore lever pivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operating lever, means for operative engagement between the switch-operating lever and this semaphore lever whereby the two levers swing together during the initial movement of said switch-operating lever, a semaphore rod connected to said semaphore arm, operative connection between the semaphore lever and the semaphore rod, an arm on the lamp shaft, and operative connection between the semaphore lever and said arm on the lamp shaft, whereby said semaphore arm and said lamp shaft are simultaneously and completely operated during said initial swinging of the switch-operating lever, and means on said switch stand for locking said switch-operaing lever near its free end, thereby increasing the accuracy of positioning of said semaphore arm and lamp shaft, as maintained by the locking of said switch-operating lever.

23. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in one plane before being movable in another plane to operate the switch, a semaphore comprising a semaphore arm and a movable lamp support extending close to the bottom of the switch stand, means on the lower part of the movable lamp support to operatively connect it to a distant signal, and means whereby said semaphore arm and lamp support and the distant signal, through said 013- erative connection, are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switch-operating element.

24. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operating element requiring initial movement in a substantially vertical plane before being movable in a substantially horizontal plane, a semaphore arm movable in a substantially vertical plane, and a lamp shaft rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane and extending close to the bottom of the switch stand, and

supporting means for said semaphore arm and the lamp shaft, a crank on lower part of said lamp shaft for operatively connecting said lamp shaft with a distant signal, and means whereby said semaphore arm and lamp shaft and the distant signal, through the operative connection by said crank, are simultaneously and completely operated during the initial movement of the switchoperating element.

FRANK C. ANDERSON. Vvitnessesz CLARENCE PERDEW, CATHERINE DORAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C. 

